Damaging relationship cycles

"You're too sensitive." "You're overreacting." "Don't be such a baby." "You shouldn't feel that way." Most of us have heard statements like these at some point in our lives. They may seem harmless or even well-intentioned, but when these messages are repeated over time, they can have a profound impact on how we view ourselves, regulate our emotions, and relate to others. According to psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan, the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), one of the most significant contributors to chronic emotional distress is living in an invalidating environment. While…